Flamengo have reportedly set a starting price of £53.5m for Liverpool target Joao Gomes, a figure that matches the Brazilian’s release clause.
This update comes courtesy of Vene Casagrande (via Liverpool Echo) and it is claimed that Real Madrid were reportedly willing to shell out £35.5m for the midfielder – a reality that could give Jurgen Klopp’s men an edge in the league. race for his signature and get revenge for the successful raid of the former by former Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni.
That said, it may also present a potentially insurmountable hurdle for Julian Ward if we were to price the considerably cheaper 21 as well.
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The midfield department still feels like an area that badly needs investment at the earliest opportunity.
The January window represents a genuine opportunity for the Reds to address that need and our recruiting team may yet be persuaded to move early for Gomes if it is feared that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will develop interest in the future.
A £50m ballpark fee feels pretty steep, particularly given that the most expensive Brazilian top-flight midfield signing in Lucas Paquetá walked away for around £31m (according to ESPN) in 2019.
As transfer fees continue to rise, of course, it may simply be a sign of changing times, and a hurdle Liverpool must cross if they are to avoid losing another great talent to their European rivals.
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